260 Joh6le and its former Dppendencies of [Ma¥, 



Jompdle to Pahang, as well as on the gold dust and silk cloths of Pahang 

 returning to Malacca. 



Jompdle produces a considerable quantity of tin, sapan wood, rice, 

 dammer, ratans, and a little gold, which is sent down the Mtiar river 

 to Malacca (eight days pull), and also to Pahang. 



The population of Jompdle is estimated at 2,000 ; it is divided into 

 three Milkims ; viz. those of Limbdj 'on, Turuntong, and Qualla Lenney. 



Gold. — The following account of the gold mines at Chimendros, with 

 the exception of the part relative to the assaying of the metal, which is 

 from personal observation, is almost entirely drawn from native 

 information. 



Bukit Chimendros is a hill situated in Gominchi, a territory subject 

 to the Panghdld of Johdle, and bordering on the eastern frontier of 

 Naning. It is covered and surrounded by an uninhabited forest of 

 great extent, intersected by numerous rivulets, which derive their source 

 from the hill. 



Veins of quartzose rock run over it at various depths (generally 

 from 12 to 20 feet) below the surface, forming the matrix in which* 

 the gold is found in small broken streaks. 



The rock is enclosed in a bed of a sort of white clay, indurated more 

 or less, termed Ndpal. 



The method pursued by Chinese and Malays for separating the 

 metal from its matrix resembles that adopted by the Hungarian 

 miners, with this exception, that the process of amalgamation is not 

 practised by the former for this purpose. The Kling assayers of gold, 

 however, avail themselves of it in their vocation, as will presently 

 appear. 



The Malay miners, as soon as the precise spot and minute have 

 been determined by their diviners, Pdwangs, or other charlatans 

 supposed to be skilled in discovering the hidden treasures of the earth, 

 commence clearing the ground of trees, brushwood, &c. and then 

 proceed to remove the roots and vegetable soil by means of Biliongs 

 and Chonkoles, (the Malayan adze and spade,) until the bed of Ndpal 

 is laid bare. These implements are now put aside, and a heavy 

 sort of iron crow-bar, (Perjong) is had recourse to. 



The first layer of Ndpal is soft and whitish ; the second has a red- 

 dish tint. The last is a black incrustation resembling brick in hard- 

 ness, and hence called by the natives Tambiker Qudli ; this is commonly 

 two fingers' breadth, in thickness, and being removed, discovers the 



* A specimen of this rock, in which a small portion of gold is imbedded, or 

 rather disseminated, has been forwarded to the Society. 



